i blew the engine in my 97 legacy and i'm now looking at rebuilding my 2.5. what can i do to get more power out of my 2.5 for about $1500.00?

Unfortunately that budget will not get you very far unless you are doing the labor yourself. Durability is made in the block but power is made in the head. What I mean by this is that once you reach the limit of the engines available flow, neither a larger turbocharger nor a built bottom end will produce more HP.

To make more HP in that circumstance you would start by upgrading the camshafts which you could do with your budget.

Now if what you meant was to increase your block to safely install a higher HP turbocharger from your current setup that hasn't maxed out he heads then a nice set of rods and pistons will do the trick. There are things you can do such as running higher compression pistons that can boost low-end power but peak numbers will not change.

Hope this helps.

Phil
www.elementtuning.com

thanks but i'm looking for the most power for my budget, i can do the work myself so i'm kinda leanning towards the JDM swap. any idea on where to find reasonably priced front clips? which motor codes i should keep an eye out for?

Durability is made in the block but power is made in the head. What I mean by this is that once you reach the limit of the engines available flow, neither a larger turbocharger nor a built bottom end will produce more HP.

Now if what you meant was to increase your block to safely install a higher HP turbocharger from your current setup that hasn't maxed out he heads then a nice set of rods and pistons will do the trick. There are things you can do such as running higher compression pistons that can boost low-end power but peak numbers will not change.

Hope this helps.

Phil
www.elementtuning.com
Phil - 97 Legacy = non-turbo, so the turbo talk is off the mark.

To make more HP in that circumstance you would start by upgrading the camshafts which you could do with your budget.
This part is correct, although sources for aftermarket N/A DOHC cams are drying up. I think TWE still does them, and maybe Delta.

thanks but i'm looking for the most power for my budget, i can do the work myself so i'm kinda leanning towards the JDM swap. any idea on where to find reasonably priced front clips? which motor codes i should keep an eye out for?
Not sure if you'll have much luck finding a front clip for $1500. There are always plenty of JDM turbo motors on eBay.

Pat Olsen

The ebay motors seem to be of at least decent quality. Make sure that you get one that comes with everything you'll need. Maf/Map sensor, wire harness, turbo, I/C, etc..

Unless of course you want to give naturally aspirated another shot... Then I'd say rebuild your motor, grab some cams, LW crank pulley, header/better exhaust.


~Josh~

You are going to need to increase your budget to get it done RELIABLY, the swap/more power that is. Otherwise, finding another EJ25D to drop in there would be a better option.